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Thursday, March 31, 2016

Square-Enix is going hard... and taking no prisoners with all the content they're delivering. We're playing catch up, and not the kind you can dip fries into (even though that would've been delicious), but we'll get there... there are just a crap load of big games to cover! Blu was actually going to log some hours on console for MGSV while traveling (since an office PC was not going anywhere to cover Square-Enix titles... being reviewed) but... what had happened was... the resort disabled their HDMI. Thumbs down to that crap... seriously (but at least some gaming was enjoyed). I understand they want to prevent people from bringing their own entertainment in order to lock you into using their on-demand system, but there should be options if a resort is already costly enough. Bringing your own monitor is always another option. :p

Anyway... lets get to it, and stay tuned for more action. [Ka-Boom!]

Missed the Uncovered Final Fantasy XV event March 30th (2016)?

Check it out right here... right now!

This starts at 5:51!

It's safe to say that Final Fantasy XV is going to be huge... and that's what we're talking about, put time into your games and make them marks in history. Just the level of fun and joy you can bring people... would be one of the rewards for me in addition to the support, and that excites me about the growth of SDGT Entertainment and what we will be able to do as we continue to grow. I can't say that FFXV is worth adding to my permanent private collection until I've played it but haven't been disappointed yet. How about you?

If you don't have time to check out the entire event above... we have you covered. ;)

KINGSGLAIVE: FINAL FANTASY XV™ is a CG movie, presented by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Square Enix. The animated feature weaves together the complexities of kingdoms at war, royal relationships and epic battles in a tale that will set the stage for the main FINAL FANTASY XV narrative. The CG movie features an all-star cast with Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones) voicing Regis, the King of Lucis who has sworn to protect his kingdom, Lena Headey (300, Game of Thrones), voicing Luna, the princess who has been entrusted to deliver the royal ring of Lucis to Prince Noctis, and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), voicing Nyx. The title will be released digitally worldwide before the game’s launch.

I can't complain about the actors coming out to talk about the roles they've played as voice actors in this film... but it was more of a break for me in the event because it was more of a meh, personally. I didn't see it as a bad thing as long as Final Fantasy games aren't taken and dropped on their head by someone who has no understanding or respect for the franchise trying to take a Hollywood approach.

BROTHERHOOD FINAL FANTASY XV™ is a new anime series that consists of five standalone episodes that delve into the extraordinary friendships between crown prince Noctis and his three comrades, setting the stage for the adventure players will set out upon in the action-packed RPG. There will be more episodes dropped before the Sept. 30th (2016) release of the game!

You can pre-order FFXV now... via the Day One Edition, Deluxe Edition, and the Ultimate Collector's Edition (that's only available at the Square-Enix online store). Basically the Ultimate comes with everything the Deluxe has (movie, xbox one avatar content/PS4 theme, Platinum Leviathan Regalia design, access to the Royal Raiment constume DLC) + exclusive disc steel books that contain the soundtrack for the game, the movie and the anime. Not only that (yep there is more... which i'd expect for $270 but anyway) you get a hard-cover artbook, a limited edition (exclusive) variant Noctis PLAY ARTS -KAI- action figure, etc!

If you want another dose of cool, here are two links that give you access to the pinball game "Justice Monsters Five" available within FFXV... so that you can play the game on Android, iOS, and Windows 10 devices (when it's available there). If you've been gaming for as long as I have, this is pretty cool... and I think that Square-Enix should allow for there to be a scoreboard that links all scores together (mobile and in-FFXV). What else can I say? Check it out at the links below & get the Platinum Demo - FFXV... below!

Thursday, March 24, 2016

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

Cut down entire legions of enemies as fan-favorite characters from The Legend of Zelda series using powerful moves, as the Hyrule Warriors game comes to the Nintendo 3DS system. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS

Hyrule Warriors Legends – Cut down entire legions of enemies as fan-favorite characters from The Legend of Zelda series using powerful moves, as the Hyrule Warriors game comes to the Nintendo 3DS system. Control multiple characters to enhance your strategies, and enjoy new story elements with playable characters from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, such as Tetra and King Daphnes. Take advantage of an epic discount when you buy all DLC packs in a single purchase with the Legends of Hyrule Season Pass, sold separately. You’ll also get an exclusive The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker-themed Ganondorf costume for immediate use in the game, then download the additional DLC packs as they become available throughout the year.

Nintendo eShop on Wii U

Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut – Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut brings hair-whipping, belly-dancing action to the Wii U console. The most popular game in the Shantae series now has HD illustrations, a Magic Mode Costume and new Warp System.

Virtual Console on New Nintendo 3DS

Donkey Kong Country – The Super NES masterpiece is now on New Nintendo 3DS! Play more than 100 levels filled with collectibles and hidden bonus levels of platforming action. With the help of Donkey Kong’s quirky family, animal friends and your fast reflexes, the dynamic duo of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong will prove to be an unstoppable force.

Super Mario Kart – Take to the roads with your favorite Mario characters in the first game of this iconic series! Super Mario Kartoffers crazy tracks that will test your gears. Use classic power-ups and gain the advantage to make it to the finish line.

EarthBound – Intergalactic terror strikes the small town of Onett as a blazing extraterrestrial object crashes in the night. Earth now faces imminent destruction by the universal evil threat, Giygas. A courageous boy named Ness and his three friends vow to save the planet from hideous destruction. Acclaimed RPG EarthBound is a great game to take on the go.

Virtual Console on Wii U

Yoshi’s Story – Baby Bowser has taken the Super Happy Tree and put a spell on Yoshi Island. In this charming Nintendo 64 game, it’s up to a few remaining Yoshi characters to restore everything to its rightful place as they run, ground-pound, flutter-jump, throw eggs and traverse a colorful storybook-looking world. Complete a course in Story Mode, and then best your high score in Trial Mode.

Suspension Railroad Simulator is more than 35 percent off (reduced from $7.99 to $5) until 8:59 a.m. PT on April 7.

Life of Pixel is more than 50 percent off (reduced from $9.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on April 11.

Skylanders SuperChargers Portal Owner’s Pack is 50 percent off (reduced from $49.99 to $24.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on April 1.

Maze and The Perplexing Orb are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 31.

Explody Bomb is more than 65 percent off (reduced from $.99 to $.59) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 31.

Adventures of Pipis 50 percent off (reduced from $14.99 to $7.50) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 31.

Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS

3D Gunstar Heroes, Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX and more games from SEGA are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on April 4.

Aqua Moto Racing 3D is 50 percent off (reduced from $7.99 to $3.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 31.

Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai is 25 percent off (reduced from $8.99 to $6.70) until 8:59 a.m. PT on April 14.

Japanese Rail Sim Journey in Suburbs #1 is 50 percent off (reduced from $7.99 to $3.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on April 7.

Stella Glow, Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knightand more games from ATLUS are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on April 4.

New DLC:

Fire Emblem Fates – New DLC Map – Hidden Truths (1 and 2) – The secret prologue to the world of the Fire Emblem Fates games, this two-map set is now available to download in the game for only $4.49.

Fire Emblem Fates – Map Pack 1 – As a reminder, anyone who owns either Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright or Fire Emblem Fates: Conquestcan purchase Map Pack 1 in-game at Dragon’s Gate for $17.99 to get access to 11 DLC maps plus bonus content as it is released weekly through April 21. Map Pack 1 content is priced at more than $24 when purchased individually.

Activities:

Mini Mario & Friends amiibo Challenge – For a limited time, get a download code for early access to the Mini Mario & Friends amiibo Challenge game. Just buy any amiibo figure from a participating retailer between March 25 and April 27, and you’ll get early access to the game. Download this game for free on your Nintendo 3DS system or Wii U console, then tap any amiibo figure to get started. Click here: http://minimario.nintendo.com.

National StreetPass Weekend: Spring Edition – Swing into spring with Nintendo 3DS! From March 25 to March 27, collect up to six StreetPass tags from across North America when you stop by a Nintendo Zone location with your Nintendo 3DS family system. While you’re out and about, be sure to take advantage of the cool StreetPass features in many popular games. To find a Nintendo Zone near you, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds/nintendozone.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Play Upcoming Nintendo Games for the First Time at This Year’s WonderCon

Hyrule Warriors Legends Panel and New Playable Games Highlight Nintendo’s Show Activities

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nintendo is headed to WonderCon in Los Angeles March 25-27 with a great collection of Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games, including the first publicly playable version of Metroid Prime: Federation Force for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Additionally, there will also be a panel and meet-and-greet dedicated to Hyrule Warriors Legends featuring developers from the game, as well as other fun activities at Nintendo’s booth in the Los Angeles Convention Center.

WonderCon attendees will be able to play Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard before the Wii U games launch on April 21. (Photo: Business Wire)

“WonderCon is a great place to interact with our fans and let them play some of our most anticipated games of the first half of 2016,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “Fans will get to experience Star Fox Zero, Star Fox Guard and Metroid Prime: Federation Force at the show.”

Show attendees will be able to play Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard before the Wii U games launch on April 21. Star Fox Zero is a flying and shooting game starring legendary space pilot Fox McCloud. Players will blast through an onslaught of enemy forces to bring peace to the galaxy. In this white-knuckle space shooter, it’ll take more than luck to master the Arwing jet, the Gyrowing flight drone and the Landmaster tank. Additionally, attendees can experience Metroid Prime: Federation Force, a game that focuses on co-op multiplayer missions. Up to four players, each with her or his own Nintendo 3DS system, take on various missions within the Bermuda system, battling intergalactic creatures and solving puzzles. This will be the first time the public will have hands-on time with the Nintendo 3DS game before it launches this spring.

On Saturday, March 26, in room 515A in the Los Angeles Convention Center, Nintendo will host a panel from 6 to 7 p.m. featuring team members from Koei Tecmo, the developers of the Hyrule Warriors Legends game for Nintendo 3DS. The developers will discuss creating the game, which brings all the action of the hit Wii U game to Nintendo 3DS, and they will also dive into some of the new characters like Linkle. The panel is sure to be informative and interesting for not only fans of the game, but also anyone who has interest in game development.

On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the developers from Koei Tecmo will participate in a meet-and-greet in the Nintendo booth. This is a great opportunity for fans to ask them questions about their work on the game, take a memorable photo or even bring their Hyrule Warriors Legends game to be signed by the awesome people who made it!

WonderCon, created by the team behind Comic-Con, is a convention celebrating the world of pop culture. The Nintendo booth (No. 1836) is open to WonderCon attendees with a badge during show hours from March 25 to March 27. The Los Angeles Convention Center is located at 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

A lot of action is coming out of Square-Enix... and now that we have this game, expect a review.

SÉBASTIEN LOEB RALLY EVO NOW AVAILABLE FOR PLAYSTATION 4 AND XBOX ONE

LOS ANGELES (MARCH 22, 2016) - Square Enix® and Milestone S.r.lannounced today that Sébastien Loeb Rally EVO is now available for PlayStation®4 and Xbox One. The game is available for digital download or at retailers for a $59.99 SRP. Created in collaboration with nine-time world champion Sébastien Loeb, players will powerslide all over the world with the aim of getting their adrenaline pumping and delivering all the thrills of the world of rally.

For those interested in trying out the game, a free demo is available now on both PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.

Sébastien Loeb Rally EVO is a realistic off-road racing game that features more than 180 miles of accurately reproduced tracks, including the exclusive Pike Peak International Hill Climb, across eight different Rallies, five Rallycross circuits and 64 special stages. Players can drive over 58 cars from 16 different manufacturers, from the past until present, and customize and create the perfect match of aesthetics and racing performance.

Today we can also reveal that 'Order Up!' won't be the last players see of Jesse, as Episode Five will bridge the gap between the Wither Storm story arc, and three all-new adventures that will continue as post-season episodes set to release in the coming months of 2016.

These continuing Adventures of the New Order of the Stone will follow the additional escapades of Jesse the group as they explore new and unfamiliar worlds beyond their own. All three of these episodes will be add-ons to the season, so players will need to own at least the first episode of Minecraft: Story Mode in order to purchase and play these three chapters in the series which will include episodes 6, 7, and 8.

In the upcoming Episode 5, on a tip from Ivor, Jesse and friends head to an abandoned temple holding mysterious treasures. Ambushed by former Ocelot Aiden and his crew, our heroes find themselves in an entirely new world: Sky City! As they explore, the Order finds that resources are at a premium, and nothing but 'The Void' exists below the known world. When Aiden convinces Sky City's ruler that the New Order of the Stone are up to no good, you'll need to make some tough choices to clear your name, and keep Aiden from destroying an innocent world.

The cast of Minecraft: Story Mode also continues to expand as Jesse, played byPatton Oswalt (Ratatouille) or Catherine Taber (Star Wars Rebels), join Ivor, played by Paul Reubens (Pee-wee's Big Holiday) and the gang on a trip to the skies. They'll meet a growing cast that includes Sean Astin (The Goonies, The Lord of the Rings) as Reginald, the loyal Captain of the Guard, Jim Meskimen(Parks and Recreation) as the rebellious Milo, and Melissa Hutchison (The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series) as the Founder of Sky City.

Although traveling through time can be a most excellent adventure, sometimes it must be done in order to save humanity from certain peril.

In7th Dragon III Code: VFD, the protagonist and his/her team must utilize time travel technology -- courtesy of Nodens Enterprises -- to cleanse the diabolical dragon menace that has consumed earth.

Specifically, True Dragons in three different time periods must be destroyed before the mighty 7th Dragon: VFD can be vanquished.

Simple enough right? Well, it's dangerous to voyage through time and space without knowing about the destinations, so we'll give you a rundown of the time periods and areas:

Present-day Tokyo - The year 2100 in Tokyo is your first stop in the game. The city is an urban jungle filled with hazardous areas like the subway line and landmark giant tower. However, if you need to take a breather from hunting dragons, Nodens Enterprises HQ is located here.

Ancient Atlantis - So naturally, you'll depart Tokyo and step back in time to the mythical ocean kingdom of Atlantis. Be warned, the capital city of Atlantica, royal palace, and Cladeon lower wards are rife with danger. Oh, but the blacksmiths of Atlantis are renowned for forging great weapons, so definitely worth a visit.

Futuristic Eden - The futuristic collection of states known as Eden will be the last time and place you'll explore. You can visit the Kazan Republic, the ruins of Preloma, or brave the mysteries of the sealed tower. However, it would be wise to remain vigilant as dragons and enemies haunt your every step. The future is definitely bleak, so don't be surprised if some people from that time period are sympathetic to your cause.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Thought this would be a fun... left field post for fans of Just Cause 3. The review is coming (for sure), but in the mean time... here are some of the top rankings as of now that you can try to beat on Steam.

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Project CARS, the premier motorsport racing simulator, will feature as a key launch title for the highly anticipated March 28 launch of the Oculus Rift.

Racing enthusiasts the world over will be holding their breath to place the new Oculus Rift VR headset on their heads in order to experience the newest breakthroughs in virtual reality technology in the comfort of their homes.

“Project CARS is the test case for multiplayer competition on Oculus Rift,” said Stephen Viljoen, Game Director at Slighly Mad Studios. “It offers an unparalleled experience of sitting in the driving seat of a speeding race car. The racing genre was always going to be a perfect fit for virtual reality, and the ability to now wear a virtual helmet that allows you to see through a driver’s eyes is a massive step toward recreating the real thing.”

Andy Tudor, Creative Director, said, “Project CARS offers exquisitely fine details that both harness and take advantage of our dynamic processing. When you look around using the Oculus Rift, you’ll see the detailed cockpit of a supercar like a Pagani Huayra BC in a whole new way. The visual realism and depth of perception – whether you’re looking to your right at a high-end Indy Car surging past you or whether you’re looking towards the apex while trying to nail a perfect lap, or out the back window while reversing – is really astonishing.”

In August 2012 plans to support the Oculus Rift in Project CARS were first announced. In November 2012 Project CARS received over $3.1 million in crowdfunding support and was released in May 2015 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Over 1.3 million copies have been sold.

Project CARS is the first AAA racing game with full virtual reality integration to hit the market. It takes advantage of the new Oculus Rift VR capabilities to provide the most authentic, beautiful, intense, and technically-advanced racing game experience yet available.

Project CARS was created by gamers and tested by real racing drivers. It features world-class graphics and handling, a ground-breaking dynamic time of day & weather system, and deep tuning & pit stop functionality. Players can create a driver, pick from a variety of motorsports, and shift into high gear to chase a number of Historic Goals in a quest to enter the Hall of Fame.

Project CARS, using the Oculus Rift, allows people to experience the action through the driver’s eyes with an unprecedented perception of speed and spatial awareness.

+1, Share, Subscribe and... thanks for checking out this post, game on!

Friday, March 18, 2016

Photos of the Pokkén Tournament Early Access Finals at Nintendo NY Store Are Available on Business Wire's Website and AP PhotoExpress

--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Photos of the Pokkén Tournament Early Access Finals at Nintendo NY store are available on Business Wire's Website and AP PhotoExpress.

In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, fans gather at Nintendo NY to watch the Pokkén Tournament Early Access Competition finals on March 17, 2016.

Photo 1
In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, fans gather at Nintendo NY to watch the Pokkén Tournament Early Access Competition finals on March 17, 2016.

Photo 2

In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, Kai T., 15 of Orange County competes at the Pokkén Tournament Early Access Competition finals at Nintendo NY on March 17, 2016.

lol Look at Just... he looks like he's praying for victory!

Photo 3
In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, professional video gamers Justin Wong and Justin Flynn coach and cheer for competitors in the Pokkén Tournament Early Access Competition finals at Nintendo NY on March 17, 2016.

Jeffrey rocked it!

Photo 4
In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, JC Rodrigo presents the Pokkén Tournament Early Access Competition winner Jeffrey Frias with his reward: a chance to compete at the 2016 Pokémon U.S. National Championships in Columbus, Ohio, in July 2016. Contestants competed at Nintendo NY on March 17, 2016.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

We tweaked the game poster art a little... only for the sake of review art.

Different experiences are a beautiful thing… especially when
they’re fun! I say that to say… this is a new school blast from what is made to
feel like the past that’s quite the fun experience. This game has a different
feel from a lot of other games we play (thanks to the delivery); we respect the
ambitions of the ACE Team with this game published by Atlus.

I really like how this game starts off (prior to the
gameplay), and that’s not to say that I don’t like what I experienced
afterwards, I just really like the way they did it. [Crash!] Don’t
underestimate the game based on the cheesy delivery… its part of its charm, and
if you’re a movie buff, this will most likely tickle your fancy.

This will be funny to some... and others, not so much.

It’s a game listed as “Indie”, and the flow of the game
feels good. They took something that had the risk of being a cluster of unfocused
crazy, and used it to their… crazy advantage instead of just giving us a bunch
of monsters with no direction… and actually made it work in a logical way. They
went B-Movie in a game about a movie plus something that I will not mention so
that you can appreciate it yourself. One of my biggest questions is if it was
their intention to deliver the game like this from the start, because if so… 2
thumbs up!

You’re playing out a B-Movie as Dick Starspeed, Scarlet
Nova, and… Robot as you scale the tower of monsters on planet Gravoria (and
beyond)… in 3rd person and even in a weird space invader angle also,
which you will become familiar with when it happens (in more ways than one).

You have stop-motion, image compositing, etc. and I don’t
know… (how should I put this), it just looks awesome. You’re playing a game of
a movie that’s showcasing various things you’d see on a set… back in that time
period… and it has interestingly weird commentary that’s tied into that. I
thoroughly appreciated the creative and entertaining approach accompanying me
throughout the adventure.

Could you imagine seeing something like this in real life?

You have various objectives to accomplish that increase the
replay value of this game… so you aren’t just taking on enemies and bosses as
you progress up the tower. Expect to go back and forth and up and down as you
jump off the tower to handle your business… unlocking paths, items, objectives,
and achievements. One thing that really (really) saved this game from being an
exhausting experience… is the ability to teleport. It seriously saved the game
for me so that I wouldn’t have to worry about going all the way back up or down
the tower (keeps the steam going) as you work towards taking down… The Emperor
(gwahahahaaaa).

You will be put to the test with over half-a-hundred
monsters that also include boss battles.
What types of monsters can you expect?
Hmmm… robo-monkeys, squid people, dinosaurs-gone-wild, alien fan-men (you will
know what I’m talking about when you see them), etc.

One thing I’d like to see improved is the transition from
standard 3rd person view to the vertical (top-down) camera angle.
The smoother the better because I feel that there are various situations that
would allow the player to benefit/react a bit more if the camera were a bit
more high and wide. This would allow for players to see the enemies approaching
on the platform while taking on flying enemies in that top down view angle.

I see value in this game from nearly every… angle. Visually
it feels like I’m playing with action figures that are reacting to my gamepad, the
story is pretty cool even if it seems crazy… and they round it out in a way
that I did not expect. The music fit’s the game… bringing a sci-fi spacey feel
and it definitely enhances the adventure for me.

Yes... that is a pirate ship back there!

Gameplay has hack’n’slash, as well as shooting, with an
RPG-like system that allows you to build up your character’s health, speed up
the cool down time for special attacks, increase the damage of your weaponry,
etc. and it’s optional with the ability to improve your character in a
completely different way than a friend.

Replay value comes in multiple forms… because you have
achievements you can obtain, hoop action (which are you jumping from various heights
through rings to obtain them all), target hunting, and… the developer is still
pushing to make the game even better. How? Well… the incorporation of a Hard
Mode and a Co-op option (up to 4-players) is how. They aren’t going full online
co-op, it’s going to remain local based on Q&A, and player 1 will control
the main camera… but I give them props for giving more from an indie standpoint
(because they could’ve moved on to the next project after the release was
final).

To really drive home the word… value, this game is less than
$20(USD). I’d say the game would be on target at $20 and up to that range of
$25, but I wouldn’t dare argue about it being $14.99… that’s the cherry on top.

So if you want to get all old school sci-fi in a new school
way… you may want to check this game out. We give The Deadly Tower of Monsters…
4 out of 5!

Fun factor: 4Visually: 5Replay value: 4Price: 5

"4.5 / 5 Cool Points"

Like this review? Prove it, click that +1, share and all that good stuff! :p Game on!